Friday, December 16, 2016

With each passing year, I feel that time is moving faster and the
choices I make are becoming more important because I am older, hopefully
wiser and have less time to dwell on things that take me away from what
I love. It seems like just yesterday, I was the mother of two young
sons, and now, those little ones are 28 and 25 years of age. I remember
walking down the aisle on my father’s arm to start my new life with my
husband, and today, we have been married 44 years.

Time has gone by so fast .…

So, when I think of what season, time of my life or event I want to
remember, I want to remember and cherish them all. And each season has
been an important part of who I am today. Writing this article has given
me the opportunity to reflect on what makes a season memorable to me.
And these are some of the things that have stayed in my heart from years
gone by... (Read More)

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

On Oct. 14 and 15, Okaeri 2016 took place at the Japanese American
National Museum in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo. The gathering began with a
networking mixer on Friday, which drew many from the Nikkei and API
community, both LGBTQ and allies. Representatives from PFLAG, JACL,
NCRR, Little Tokyo Service Center, Keiro, churches and many other
organizations made this event a wonderful way to kick off the weekend
that was to continue on Saturday. Thank you, Sean Miura and traci
kato-kiriyama.

Saturday began with the planning committee arriving very early, many
of us juggling a HUGE cup of coffee to help wake us up. But once we
began to set up and saw people arriving to register, the enthusiasm and
anticipation was palpable... (Read More)

Friday, September 9, 2016

I recently received a very kind note from a Portland JACL member
named Herb. In his note, he talked about reading “A Mother’s Take” and
expressed his amazement at my bravery. He also said, “This may be easy
for me to tell you, but live each and every day to the fullest with
gratitude.” His note came at a very important time for me … and here is
the reason why.

I was on a plane from Dallas/Fort Worth to Los Angeles recently. It
had been a very successful trip with a LGBTQ training in Shreveport,
La., followed by a leadership summit in New Orleans. I was feeling good
about everything that had happened on this trip...(Read More)

Monday, July 4, 2016

I woke up on Sunday, and my heart broke into a million pieces.
Filling the news was the massacre in Orlando. It happened to those I
didn’t know, but I fought so hard to keep safe. I thought about the
mothers who went to sleep unknowing and woke up finding out their sons
were dead. I could feel my heart close up . . . I could feel my spirit
begin to lose hope. The world just felt less safe for Aiden.
My heart shudders at the thought that someone who doesn’t even know
my beautiful child would want to harm him because of the fear and
judgment that is sweeping the country. But when faced with things they
don’t understand, people too often allow themselves to be consumed by
fear, distrust and hatred and not compassionately seek the truth.
I mourned, but I didn’t cry. All I felt was numb.
But the LGBTQ community is strong, and so thousands of us came
together last night, with so many straight allies there to support us.
It was a vigil organized by the Los Angeles LGBT Center in front of Los
Angeles City Hall... (Read More)

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Recently, I received a message from a mother who asked me, “How do
you deal with all the hatred that is in the world?” She has a
transgender son, and so I knew her question was directed at me because
I, too, have a transgender son, and there are so many states that are
trying to implement laws against our children.
Her question made me stop and think, “How do I deal with all the
hatred and discrimination that gains so much public scrutiny around the
country?” I gave her a concise answer about looking for the blessings
around me and focusing on what is positive in my life rather than
focusing on the negativity that often consumes the news, but her
question caused me to reflect even further... (Read More)

Friday, May 13, 2016

It has been a month of highs and lows for a mother of a transgender
child. I still fear that the world will not see the value that my son
can bring to society. Aiden is in graduate school to be a school
counselor, and he wants, more than anything, to create safe spaces for
all who are marginalized, bullied and harassed. I believe he can make a
huge difference in the lives of not only LGBT students, but also those
students who are not what others deem the perfect height or weight, the
perfect look or whatever category of perfection that tends to
marginalize our children... (Read More)

Saturday, January 23, 2016

You are probably wondering if this is going to be an article about the
New Year’s tradition of pounding mochi, or perhaps making the
traditional mochi soup called ozoni. I have shaped mochi into those soft
pillows with sweet beans in the middle, eating the delicious treat
(more than I care to count) in between the rice being cooked and
pounded. I also make ozoni every New Year’s Day for my family and have
for many, many years...(Read More)

I am a wife and a mother of two sons, Aiden and Stefen. By day I am an educational consultant and advocate for the LGBT community. My other passion is to share stories about healing and hope through my writing and speaking.